Adjustable sill block



Sept. 19, 1950 T. sMALLEY ADJUSTABLE sILLBLocK Filed July a, 1947 Patentedl Sept. 19, 1950 NT OFFICE y 2,523,070 ADJUSTABLE SILL BLOCK Theodore L. Smalley, New London, Conn.

Application July 8, 1947, Serial No. 759,491

The present invention relates in general to window-frame structures and particularly to an improved sill-block for windows having auxiliary sash.' More especially, the improved sill-block of this invention is adapted for use with inter changeable storm and screen sash of the type'disclosed in my col-pending application Serial No. 741,509,i`1led April 15,A 1947.

An object `of the invention is to provide a window sill-block which is of superior construction, which isdurable and economical to manufacture and which isA adaptable for use with auxiliary storm and screen sash of slightly varying dimensions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a superior sill-block which may be readily attached-` to or removed from a window sill 'and which is self-leveling so as to automatically compensate for obliquities of the auxiliary sash, and

thereby to automatically form a weather-tight seal therewith.`

IWith the above and other objects in view, as will appear to, those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over thevprior art and which` are not claimed in any separate application. Y

' In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention 4are `sho-wn for illustrative purposes:

, Fig. l isfa front elevation oi the outsideof a Awindow-traine' having auxiliary sash mounted therein and embodying the `improved ,window sill-block of thisinvention;

Figf 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section oi thelethand corner oil the windowframe-and auxiliary sash shown in Fig. l1, the improved wlndowsill-'block being partly broken away to show` details thereof;

Fig.V 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation section of the window-frameauxiliary sash and sill-blocken line 3-3 of Fig, 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view `of the upper channel-rnemberA of the improved sill-block; and

Fig, 5 is a perspective view of the lower channel-member of the improved sill-block. Briefly,- the presentinvention relates to an improved sill-block which is adapted to'beattached to the `sill of a window-frame in which storm and/onscreen sashfh'ereinafter referred to as ,auxiliary sas are-mounted, the sill-block being especially designed for and hereinafterdescrib'edfin` connection withwindows which embody` `permanent weather-frame and a pair of auxiliary sash mounted in superposed relation- 3 Claims. (Cl. 20-68) 2 4 l ship in the weather-frame, the auxiliary sash being adapted to be removed -therefrom from the inside of the window. The particular weatherframe and auxiliary sash referred to is fully de- 'scribed and illustrated in my above identified 43o-pending application,` It will be understood, however, that the improved sill-blockl of this invention is not limited to this specilic type of window-frame and sash-assembly but has rapplication tofwindow-frames with or without weather-frames and embodying other forms of auxiliary sash.

' Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a window-frame indicated. generally at IFJ which comprises spaced-parallel side panels H, a top panel I2 and a sill I3. The latter is preferably a` wooden member although any other material may. be used and is provided with the usual outwardly-and-downwardly-sloping top surface I4. Secured to the side panels II and to they top panel I?! of the window-frame are Weather- ;frames I5 and I6 respectively which as described in the. above identified application are preferably aluminum channels secured by screws either to the inside walls of the sides and top respectively o-f the window-frame7 as is characteristic of the so-called Boston type of window, or to the respective blind stops I1 of the window-frame as is characteristic of the so-called New York type of window-frame, shown herein. Mounted in the channel-shaped weather-frames I5 and I6 are the upper and lower storm orv screen sash IB and I9 respectively. These auxiliary sash are mounted in the weather-frame in superposed relationship, that is to say, with the upper sash I8 supported on the lower sash I9 and held thereby in the upper part of the window-frame. Moreover, the inside walls of the weather-frame le, are provided with cutouts so: as to permit both the upper and lower sash to be readily mounted inand removed from the weather-frame from the inside of the building, suitable handles 2S being provided on the bottom. transverse framemember 2l of the lower sash I9 as shown in Fig. 3 to lift the latter up over a longitudinal weathersealing flange adjacent the inner edge of the sillblock. Normally suitable resilient-means such as the leaf-springs 22 (see Fig. 1) mounted in the top weather-frame I6 and engaging on the upper transverse frame-member of the upper sash I8 serve to hold the bottom edge of the lower sash firmly in engagement with the top of the sillblock. As shown especially well in Figs. 2 and 3, the bottom edge 23 of the frame-memberl 2l of the lower sash I9 isprovided with a longitudinal been readily adapted to general use because of their fixed dimensions.

Referring especially to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the improved sill-block of this invention is indicated generally at 25 and in' general comprises an elongated hollow body substantially rectangular linl cross section and consisting of an upper channel-member hereinafter referred to as the weather-strip means or weather-strip channe1='l26fand a lower channel-member hereinafter referred to as the"sillchannel 2l, each channelmember being' 'cut preferably vto the required length from a continuous length of substantiallychannel-shaped stock consisting of an easilyworked-sheet-metal material such, for example, as aluminum. The respective 'channel-members are adapted -tobe assembled in telescoping relati'onship,y as shown andhereinafter described, by `means -of' 4vertically-adjustable sash-supporting means l28 rvr/"nichy constitute vessential velements of the improved sill-block of this invention.

'More' spe'cically, the sill-channel 27 ofthe s'illvblock comprisesspaced-parallel side walls 29 bent up fromopposite longitudinal edges respectively rof 'a bottom-plate 3U; the width of which is slightly less than the thickness of the frame-member 'l'of '.the'lower sash I9. Since the'sill-channel 21 is-fadapted tov be mounted on the lsloping top lsurfacel I4 offthe window-sill I3, the bottom-plate 30` of the'sill-'channel is arranged to make an acute anglewith eachv of its'respective upright side 'Walls 29corresponding tothe slope of the windowsill =|3measured from the vertical'face thereof so that: each side wall of the sill-channel extends vupwardlyfinthe vertical `plane ofthe windowfsash.

'The upper `longitudinal 'edges '3l respectively fof'l each*siderwall' 29 lie in' a common `horizontal .lplaneywhile the `mean height' of Ithe side walls `"I9 bf fthe: sill-:channel 'is`substantially twice ythe width'of:itsbottom-plate 30. It will be underffstood; however, that the particular `proportions -shownand*describedherein are exemplary only yandthat"variations and modifications thereof are 'contemplatedwithin the scope of the invention.

.Asfshownespecially well in Fig. 5, the bottomplate-30 of- .the sill-channel is provided with a `pair of verticalfapertures 32, each being formed therein adjacent one end of the bottom-plate and Son Y.the longitudinal axis thereof for the purpose vhereinafter described. Moreover, a pair of transverse cutsior slots 33 areA provided infthe bottomplatell, each-'slot being located between one end *ofV fthe I plate .and the corresponding apertures 32 thereof, and'extending upwardly verticallya relf'atively-fshort distance into the lower :edges of the lrespectiveside walls 29. The slots 33 constitute imeans for:permittingdrainage from-the inside to fthe outside of the sill-channel and windowffrarne.

'The weather-strip channel 26 of the vsill-block comprises a pair of spaced-parallel side Walls 34 which in Ithe normal :inverted position of the weather-strip channel yZE'rmayl be said to 'be bent downwardly from the opposite longitudinal edges of the top-plate 35 thereof and at substantially right angles thereto. Each side wall 35 is equal in height and this height is substantially onehalf the mean height of the walls 29 of the sillchannel. Further, the over-all width of the weather-strip channel, as measured by the width of its top-plate 35 is greater than the over-all width of the sill-channel by an amount equal substantially to twice the thickness of the sheetmet'al channel stock. In accordance with this construction, the inverted-U-shaped weatherstrip channel 26 is adapted to be assembled on Y 'the U -Jshap'ed sill-channel 21 by telescoping the weather-strip channel down over the sill-channel, asclearly shown in Fig. 3, with the inside ffacesof the :side walls 34 of the weather-strip channel fitting closely against the corresponding outerfaces of the side walls 29 of the sill-channel.

Formed on the top-plate 35 of the weatherstrip ychannel 26 adjacent .its `rear .or .inner edge and substantially perpendicular thereto is a longitudinal weather-flange `36. Inthepresent embodiment, the weather-flange A36 constitutes a flattened longitudinal foldformed in the topplate 35; 4but `will-be understood that theweather-'Ilange may` constitute aA separate -rib-like member welded or otherwise secured to the 'topplate. ,-Moreover, -thev-weather-flange is set back fromthefront edge of the top-plate35a distance slightly Alessthan fthe 4thickness yof the bottom frame-member 2| oftheflower sash, so that when the inner -faceof= the-latter-is seated against the weather-flange 35, which constitutes a stop therefor and is adapted yto forrn-a weather-tight seal therewith, the outer Iface pf. lthe bottom vframemember 2l of` the-lowerv--sash will project slightly beyond the outer side-wall. 34Aof|the=weatherstrip channel 26. The top-plate. 35 kis-also provided withl a pair of vertical apertures r3", each located adjacent opposite ends thereof respectively and arrangedto lie inax.ial.alignment with the vertical Vapertures 32 .inthe bottom-plate 29 ofthe sill-channel when the -upper and lower channelymembers are assembled. in -telescoped relationship, as indicated in Figs..2 and 3.

As pointed out above, the weather-strip channel 26 and the sill-channel 2.1 are adapted to be assembled.. intelescoped relationship. by,.means of the adjustable sash-supporting means. 28. In the present embodiment, two of these sash-supporting Ameans are-provided for each -sill-block andeachcomprises awood-screwhaving a kerfed head 38, a shank 39, and-threads -40 at the lower end of the shank. As` employed for assembling the. weather-strip channel and sill-.channel in telescoped relatonship, each screw is adapted to extend down through the respective. axiallyaligned apertures 37 and 32 thereof with ythe kerfed `heads. .38,of each screw extending above .the vtop-,plate 35 of vthe weather-strip channel and the threadedr ends-'40 of the screws extendingthrough the apertures- 32 inthe bottom-plate of the .sill-channel. By providing a relativelyclose fit between the threaded ends 40- ofthe screws andthe-edges of the correspondingapertures-.32 ofthe bottom-plate, thefthreads may be :effectively caught-on ythe edges ofthe apertures to .temporarily holdthe two channel-members in assembled relationshipso as to facilitate `transportation and storage fthereof. vIt willbe :understood,however, that engagement ofthe .threads of the screws with the edges of the corresponding apertures will not interfere `with the normal func- .tionsofv the screws, -as hereinafter. described.

As assembled thusly on the sill-channel 21, the weather-strip channel 26v is free to telescope up and down vertically thereon, the depending walls 34 of the weather-strip channel engaging the corresponding walls 29 of the sill-channel to prevent lateral displacement of the respective channels. Moreover, the weather-strip chanin its vertical movement by the sash-supporting screws 28 and more especially by the shank-portions 39 thereof which extend through the apertures 31 of the weather-strip channel with a relatively-close t. However, the t which each shank makes with the corresponding apertures 31 of the weather-strip channelis not a precision fit, so that there is sufcient freedom of movement between the associated parts as to enable the weather-strip channel 26 to cant or tilt in the vertical plane of the-sill-block, for the purpose hereinafter described.

Cooperatively associated with the assembled upper and lower channels 26 and 21 are resilientmeans indicated at 4I (see Figs. 2 and 3) comprising substantially -conical coil-springs, each o-f which is assembled on one of the screws 28 at opposite ends respectively ofthe assembled channels. The bottom convolution 42 of each spring 'is adapted to seat on the bottom-plate of the lower channel 21, while its Vtop convolution 43 is'arranged to engage against the underside `of the top-plate of the weather-strip channel 26. Moreover, the diameter ofthe bottom convolution 42 of each spring is substantially equal to the width of the lower channel so that the lower end of the spring is held from transverse movement therein, while the top convolution 43 of each spring closely encircles the adjacent shankportion 39 of the screw, whereby the latter supports and constitutes guide-means for the upper end of the spring. As mounted inthe assembled channels, the conical springs 4I are always partly compressed therebetween and, hence, tend to lift the vertically-movable weather-strip channel 26 upwardly away from the sill-channel 21 into engagement with the underside of the screw heads 38.`

'The screws 28 have, however, other additional functions over that of temporarily holding the upper and lower channels in assembled relationship. Thus, when the sill-block is mounted on the sill of the window-frame, the screws 28 are adapted to be screwed into the wooden sill I3 to firmly secure the sill-block thereto immediately beneath and in substantially the vertical plane of the superposed auxiliary sash, the sillblockbeing set back rearwardly from the front face thereof sufficiently, however, to bring the weather-ange 36 of the weather-strip channel in juxtaposition to the rear face of the bottom member 2| of the lower sash and the longitudinal ,n groove 24 in the bottom edge thereof immediately above the kerfed heads 38 of the screws 2B. In this connection, it will be noted that the two screws are, in effect, vertically-adjustable posts, the kerfed heads of which constitute bearingsurfaces adapted to enter the longitudinal groove 24 in the bottom sash and to seat against the top wall thereof to positively support the sash a predetermined distance 'above the window-sill. By inserting a screwdriver or similar instrument in the kerfs of the screw heads and turning the screws, the heads thereof may be raised or lowered vertically and thus compensate for slight variations in the vertical dimensions of the upper and lowery auxiliary sash and window-frame.

vnel is adapted to be supported by and guided 6 Thus, weather-tight joints are assured between the top frame-member of the upper sash and horizontal weather-frame and between the mutually-engaging frame-members of the upper and lower storm sash. Moreover, it will be appreciated that since the conical springs 4I are, for all vertical adjustments of the screws 28, under partial compression, the compression forces thereof act both against the weather-strip channel 26 and the sill-channel 21'` to hold the plates of these respective members in weather-sealing engagement with the bottom edge 23 of the lower sash and the top surface respectively.

As pointed out above,

quired to be at least equal to and preferably greater than the height of the kerfed screw heads 38 for the successful performance of the sill-block and to insure that this condition will prevail in the commercial production of quantity lots of sash, the grooves 24 are made considerably plate 35 of the weather-strip channel will engage and be resiliently held by the force of the coilsprings 4l squarely against the bottom edgeof the lower sash thereby forming a weather-tight seal therewith, the top-plate 35 being below and clear of the undersides of the screw heads. Moreover, supposing that the bottom edge 23 of the lower sash is not square with the vertical sides thereof, or that the adjusting-screws 28 are improperly adjusted so that the sash is supported in' a slightly cocked position in the weatherframe, then the telescoping weather-strip chan-v nel 25, being free to tilt in a vertical plane, will automatically adjust its top-plate 35 to conform to the Obliquity of the bottom edge of the lower sash and, hence, maintain a weather-tight seal therewith.

Thus, the vertically-adjustable automaticallytilting spring-urged weather-strip channel compensates for irregularities, looseness and other contingencies which so often arise in mounting auxiliary sash in a window-frame, therebyinsuring weather-tight seals between all horizontal joints of the auxiliary sash and window-frame.

The assembly of the channel-members of the sill-block and the mounting of the latter on the window sill are believed to be clear from the drawings and the foregoing description and, hence, it will suiice to say that in mounting the storm sash in the weather-frame of the window, the upper sash is inserted up into the upper part thereof from the inside of the window, the lower sash being similarly inserted into the weatherframe with its upper frame-member in engagement with the lower frame-member of the upper sash. Then, by pulling upwardly strongly on the lower sash so as to compress the leaf-springs 22 in the top of the weather-frame, the bottom edge 23 of the lower sash may be lifted up over the weather-flange 36 of the sill-block 25 and swung outwardly to bring its longitudinal groove 24 opposite the heads 38 of the sash-supporting screws, whereupon the lower sash may be allowed to drop down thereon. The removal of the storm |4 of the window sill the depth of the groove in the bottom edge 23 of the lower sash is re`- out? departing'from the* spirit `and essential characteristics ofthe invention, and the'present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency 'range offthelappended claims are intended `to be embraced. therein.

^ I claim:

` 1.1.'Inxa 4window-frame having a sill and auxiliary sash: provided with" a yrecess in the lbottom edge thereof; a` sill-block arranged to be mounted onisaid sill, saidsill-block comprising a lowerusubstantially U-sha'p'edr channel-member, the bottom of which is adapted to seat on said windowfsill; -anwupper substantially U-:shaped channel-member slightly larger than said llower `channel-member vand inverted so as to telescope overffsaid lower channel-member and to' move verticallyv thereon; vertically-adjustable sashsupporting means extending through said telescoped channel-members into said sill to secure sai'd'J-telescoped upper-and lower channel-members 'tofsaidwindowv sillimmediately beneath the bottomwedge of said auxiliary sash, said sashsupporting means having bearing surfaces proje'cting above said upper channel-member and arranged to engage in the recess in the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash to positively hold the latterup `in said window-frame;and resilientmeans mounted within said telescoped channelmembers and engageable therewith to urge the upper channel-member thereof upwardly verticallyuinto weather-tight yengagement with the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash for all vertical adjustments of saidsash-supporting means.

"2."In1 a window-frame having a sill and auxiliary sash providedwith a recess in the bottom edgethereof: a sill-block arranged to bemounted on saidsill, said sill-block'comprising alower substantially `U-shaped' channel-member, the bottom of.I whichis adapted to seat on said window sill; anupper substantially IU-shaped channelmember slightly larger than-said lower channelmemberandinverted so asto telescope over said lower channel member and to move vertically thereon; vertically-adjustable sash-supporting meansi'exten'ding through the telescoped upper and` 'lower channel-membersH of said sill-block into ,saidy sill to 'secure said sill-block to said window sill'andf'immediately beneath the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash, said sash-supporting means having bearing surfaces projecting above thel topof saidupperY channel-member and arranged to engage inthe recess in the bottom edge of said'auxiliary sash Vto positively hold the latterrup" in said'v window-frame; and resilientmeansmounted within said telescoped channelmembers and supported on said adjustable sashsupporting` means,'said resilient-means being engageable 'withthe bottom and top ofthe lower 60 and upper'channel-members respectively to urge the upper channel-member upwardly vertically into weather-tight engagement with the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash for all vertical adjustments of said sash-supporting means.

3. In a window-frame having a sill and auxiliary sash provided with a recess in the bottom edgethereof a sill-block arranged to be mounted on said sill, said sill-block comprising a lower substantially U--shaped channel-member, the bottom of which is adapted to-seat on said window sill; an upper substantially U-shaped channel member slightly larger than said lower channel-member and inverted so as'to telescope over said lower channel and to move vertically thereon, said upper `and lower channel-members having axially-aligned apertures in the top and bottom thereof respectively adjacent opposite ends thereof; vertically-adjustable sash-'supporting screws long ,enough to extend through the axially-aligned apertures of 'said upper andlower channel-membersinto said sill to guide the vertical movement of said upper channel-member relative to said lowervr channel-member, and to secure 'said sill-,block to said Ywindow sill immediately beneath the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash; heads on said screws constituting bearingsurfaces projecting above the top of said upper channel-member and arranged to engage in the recess inthe bottom edge of vsaid auxiliary sash to positively hold the 'latter up in said window-frame; and springs supported on said respective screws between Vsaid upper and lower channel-members Vof said sill-block, said springs being arranged to engage the top and bottomv respectively vof said upper and lower channel-members to urge `the upper channel-member upwardly vertically on said screws into weather-tight engagementwith the bottom edge of said auxiliary sash for all vertical adjustments of said screws, said springs being arranged also to yield independently of each other to permit said upper channel to tilt in the plane of its vertical movement so as to automatically conform to an Obliquity of the'bottom edge of said auxiliary sash.

TI-lEODORE L. SMALLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNlTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,096,557 Newpher May 12, 1914 1,160,209 Steger Nov. 16, 1915 2,131,087 Austin et al Sept. 27, 1938 2,430,772 Kammerer Nov. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 91,859 Germany May 15, 1897 

